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Non-Degree Information

Students who have a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year institution may take University courses on a non-degree, space-available basis by submitting a Non-Degree Application (PDF).

Non-Degree Registration Information for Spring 2015

This information pertains only to ON-CAMPUS students in University courses. Students in online and off-site programs (such as off-campus MBA programs, Public Health Practice, and off-campus Education programs) should contact Continuing and Professional Education for registration procedures.

Registration for the Spring 2015 semester begins on Tuesday, January 13, 2015

If you do not enroll by the deadline, your student record will be withdrawn; there is no late registration

Registration takes place on the Internet using the University's SPIRE student information system.

New students:

All first semester students will receive emails from the Office of Information Technologies (OIT) with a Net ID and password. Students who do not have an email address will receive a paper mailing. Students who have not received an ID mailer in time to register by the deadline, please contact the OIT Help Desk at (413) 545-9400 for assistance. ALL students must activate and regularly check their UMass email account as most correspondence from the University is sent by email.

Registration Errors:

"Requisites Not Met" is the most common SPIRE error message for non-degree students. This message means that the course is limited to degree students or majors only, or it has prerequisites assigned or other limitations. You may contact the department in which the course is offered to inquire about the possibility of a course override.

If there is a Hold on your record when you try to register, check your Student Center on Spire to determine which office to contact to remove the hold prior to attempting to register. All holds must be removed in time to register prior to the deadline.

SPIRE problems:

If you encounter any problems with SPIRE, the Graduate Student Service Center and the Office of Information Technologies will work together to determine the problem and resolve it. In general, the Graduate Student Service Center handles registration problems or problems with your student record (e.g. no enrollment appointment, how to register for an audit, etc) . The Office of Information Technologies is usually the appropriate office to contact for technical problems (access to SPIRE, logon problems, email accounts, etc). All registration problems must be resolved no later than February 2, 2015.

Course Offerings:

Use SPIRE "Search Classes/Catalog" to access course information.

Select "Search for Classes" for instructor and meeting time information

Select "Browse Course Catalog" for course descriptions

A printable version (PDF) of the class schedule can also be found on the Spire logon page under "Catalogs & Schedules".

Applying Courses Toward a Degree:

Course credits earned as a non-degree graduate student do not accumulate toward a graduate degree at this University. However, if you are later admitted to a graduate degree program, a maximum of six (6) graduate credits earned as a non-degree student may be applied to that program. This requires a favorable recommendation by the appropriate Graduate Program Director and approval by the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research.

Identification Card:

Non-degree students are eligible for a UMass identification card, called the UCard, that is also used as your library card. The UCard Office is located at 168 Whitmore Administration Building. Their telephone number is (413) 545-0197. Their office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.

Parking Information:

You may want to visit the Parking Services website as there are a variety of parking options at UMass. Parking Services is located at 51 Forestry Way, just north of the Mullins Center. Their telephone number is (413) 545-0065. Their office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:45 am to 4:45 pm.

Student Billing:

An online system called QuikPAY is available for students to view and print their bills and make payments online. To access QuikPAY log on to your SPIRE account and navigate to Student Center > Finances > View/Pay Bill. For further information or questions please contact the Bursar's Office.